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Appliance Repairs

While most home appliances are only expected to last for a decade or so, having them repaired occasionally can help you keep them useful for a longer time. In the majority of cases, calling a reasonably priced appliance repair service can save you money compared to the cost of replacing the entire appliance.

If we believe statistics about the expected life span of major home appliances, then the outlook for appliance ownership is not that encouraging. According to data gathered by Consumer Reports, dishwashers and microwave ovens only last an average of 9 years, and a typical washing machine is only expected to stick around for about 10. The prediction for garbage disposals is roughly 12 years, and dryers, refrigerators, and electric ranges are supposedly good for about 13 years of service. Does that mean that your household appliances are on “borrowed time” as they approach the end of these time spans? Not necessarily. In the case of household appliances, an average life span does not take into account frequency of use, how often the machines are moved and jostled, and how well they were maintained and cared for. It’s also unclear whether the statistics on appliance life spans take into account the benefits of getting appliance repairs.

Under favorable conditions, a home appliance can continue operating properly well past its allotted number of years. Although some homeowners tend to replace their malfunctioning appliances at the first sign of trouble, it can be much more economical to seek the services of an appliance repair company. Depending on the cost of the worn-out part, and how long it takes the repairman to replace it, appliance repairs can cost hundreds of dollars less than buying a brand-new appliance. Once an appliance warranty runs out and the expected life span of the appliance draws near, some people assume that the machine is a lost cause. The truth is that many ten-year-old appliances can be restored to full functionality by simply replacing a single part. On the other hand, if there are multiple parts that are wearing out and the appliance is 15 years old, then it’s probably time to consider replacing the whole machine. If the problem can be traced to one relatively inexpensive appliance part, though, bringing in a repair service may be the most cost-effective solution.

A reputable appliance repair service will usually provide you with helpful advice on whether it’s time to replace the malfunctioning unit or not. If you can get them to diagnose the severity of the problem over the phone, you might even be able to avoid the cost of a service call. More times than not, however, they’ll want to do the troubleshooting in person to ensure a correct diagnosis.

One of the best ways to extend the life of your kitchen and laundry room appliances is by calling a dependable appliance repair service when problems develop. Keep in mind that whether you need washing machine repair or dishwasher repair, the solution to your problem may simply involve replacing an inexpensive part. An experienced home appliance repair technician should be able to know, within a matter of minutes, whether the defective part is a heating element, water inlet valve, door gasket, or something else.

Whether you’ve just moved to a new area or you’re experiencing problems with an appliance that’s never acted up before, sometimes you don’t know where to begin the search for a qualified appliance repair technician. And there are a lot of factors to consider before making a decision. How quickly do you need repairs completed? What’s your budget? Does experience matter to you? How about training certifications? Think about what’s most important to you–for instance, quick service no matter the cost–and utilize all the research avenues available to you to find an appliance repair company that fits the bill.

Personal Network

Chances are, someone you know has hired an appliance repair technician in the past. Ask family and friends for recommendations on who to hire–and who to avoid. Don’t just take down names; ask about the overall experience of working with that particular appliance repair company. Did the technician show up at the scheduled appointment time? Was he friendly and polite? Did he seem knowledgeable about the repairs needed? Has the problem recurred since the technician worked on the appliance? Keep in mind that your friend or family member might have had different priorities for the repair than you do, and that might have affected his or her experience with the repair technician.

Internet Search

In today’s digital age, finding the service you need is as easy as typing–appliance repairs–into a search engine. But again, unless you need repairs immediately, it’s important to do more research than just that basic Internet search. Visit the Web sites of the companies that are listed in the top results. How long have they been in the appliance repair industry? Do they conduct refrigerator repairs on your specific high-end model? Are they licensed and insured to protect their customers? Do they advertise any service warranties or guarantees? If a company’s Web presence doesn’t come across as knowledgeable, reliable, and professional, that might be a sign to keep looking.

Internet Reviews

There are a variety of online sites that allow you to rate and review businesses, which means they’re also ideal when you’re the one looking for a service such as washer/dryer repair. After searching the site for local appliance repair companies, scan through the available reviews. Are customers satisfied, overall, with the service they received? Is there one aspect of a company that people find wanting, such as a lack of punctuality or a poor warranty package? While a single bad review might not make or break a business, a company with a low rating or more bad reviews than good is probably not your best choice for quality appliance repair.

Appliance Manufacturer or Store

Where did you purchase your appliance? If it was a chain store in another city, look for a branch in your area. You may be able to get appliance repair service from their in-house technicians. If you bought from the manufacturer, see if they offer repair service, or can recommend a local repair company that works with their units. In general, a location that sells and installs appliances should have access to repair technicians, either on staff or as outside contractors.

If all else fails, feel free to check out the phone book or a similar resource for appliance repair ads. But remember to do your homework before signing on the dotted line. Ask lots of questions when you call the company to learn more about their services. And if you can, take notes on your own experience, so that you can help other appliance owners in the future by posting an online review.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, you depend upon your appliances to get you through each day. When an appliance breaks down, you need it fixed properly and as quickly as possible. That said, anyone who runs or works in a business that relies on appliances to function understands the differences between the demands put on commercial versus residential appliances.

Your appliance repair expert should understand those differences, too. When you’re researching appliance repair companies online, look for a team that is trained and certified in the type of appliance repair you need. You want to trust your valuable appliances to someone who knows what he’s doing and who will be able to give you expert repair service.

Commercial and residential appliances differ in terms of:

The Work Required of Them

The appliances in your home must stand up to the demands of daily life, but their job is small compared to the work a commercial appliance does each day. Where your home oven or stove makes three meals a day, a commercial cooking appliance might feed hundreds of customers during each meal service. You might do a few loads of laundry a week at home, but the washing machines and dryers at a laundromat are running almost constantly throughout business hours. Commercial and home appliances are designed differently so that each unit can best perform the work being asked of it.

Structure and Components

Commercial appliances tend to be more specialized in function than residential appliances, especially in the kitchen setting. In a commercial kitchen, cooks often have a separate stove, oven, broiler, griddle, and range for maximum efficiency and ability to cook many different dishes simultaneously. In a home setting, these appliances are often combined into one unit, because of the decreased need to perform all functions at once-and because of space considerations. In terms of appliance repairs, a technician trained to work with residential appliances may not have any experience or training with commercial models. Because the structure and components of each model can differ so drastically, the two skill sets are typically not interchangeable.

Aesthetic Needs

A final major difference between residential and commercial appliances is their appearance. Most commercial appliances are designed to be strictly utilitarian. They’ll be streamlined in terms of function, but how they look is significantly less important than how they do their job. They also need to be extremely easy to clean. Home appliances, meanwhile, are available in a variety of different designs, shapes, and sizes to work with homeowners’ space restrictions and home decor preferences. While the aesthetic differences between commercial and residential units may not affect your appliance repair hiring decision as much as the functional differences, if the look of your appliance matters to you, this is something to keep in mind.

What’s the bottom line? If you own or operate a business, bring in a commercial appliance repair expert when one of your units stops functioning. If you need help at home, contact a residential appliance repair company. And, whenever you’re searching for a professional to conduct appliance repairs, look for a company that offers the right balance of training, knowledge, skill, speed/efficiency, and price.